Publication

This text highlights the challenges asymmetric warfare poses to the laws of war and how international humanitarian law (IHL) can help address them. Among other issues, the text's authors examine 1) the definitional issues that bedevil asymmetric warfare; 2) the legal frameworks currently in place to deal with this form of conflict; 3) the problem of distinguishing combatants from non-combatants and military from non-military targets in this form of war; and 4) how to ensure compliance with the laws of war and the duty to investigate violations when they occur.